In response to the immigration policy that separated children from their parents, Canutillo ISD Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz felt compelled to do something. He organized a press conference at the Tornillo Port of Entry June 20, 2018 with other El Paso-area superintendents to pledge their support of family unification for immigrant children.

Dr. Galaviz asserts that years of education research has shown that children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally when they are surrounded by loving, supportive, and involved parents and/or relatives, regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances. He believes that family separation is a significant barrier to educational success – and with the shelter’s proximity to El Paso, he wanted to organize the local group of educational leaders to speak out in support of keeping all families together for the betterment of the children, and our future as a society.

“I come from humble beginnings. My parents migrated to this country for a better life,” Dr. Galaviz said. “So, I can relate to the struggles faced by these families. My brothers, sisters and I are successful due to the opportunities afforded to us in this great country.”

Just hours after the press conference, President Trump signed an executive order reversing the policy that resulted in immigrant family separations at the border and will keep far more families together.

“I am pleased that the President has chosen to reverse the policy that resulted in immigrant family separations at the border,” Dr. Galaviz added. “As a superintendent, my mission is to educate our kids, which involves providing a safe and secure environment. I felt compelled to speak out and give all our children and parents a voice.”